Constance tower in Aigues-Mortes

The ViaRhôna from Avignon to Aigues-Mortes

Bike trip through Camargue and Provence

An easy cycling journey along the ViaRhôna, perfect for lovers of heritage and nature. After a day visiting Avignon, the City of Popes, this 5-day itinerary will take you on escapade through the cultures of Camargue and Provence. Starting in Beaucaire, your journey will lead you to the crossroads of Languedoc and Provence. You'll then continue on to Arles with its UNESCO World Heritage monuments. Saint-Gilles marks the beginning of the Camargue, where you'll catch glimpses of the famous horses and bulls. The fortified town of Aigues-Mortes then appears, with its Tour de Constance tower overlooking the surrounding marshes. 
 

Highlights of your itinerary

  • 5 days of cycling along the Rhône River 
  • An itinerary combining culture and heritage 
  • Cultural discoveries along the way 
  • Breathtaking nature

 

Day 1 Avignon

1 night in Avignon


You’ll spend the first stage in the city visiting Avignon. The former capital of Christianity, Avignon still boasts extraordinary heritage, including many UNESCO World Heritage sites. You'll see the impressive Palais des Papes, the famous bridge, and during the summer you can stroll around the city while enjoying the renowned theatre festival. 

  • Distance : 4.4km
  • Elevation : 23m / 49m
Cyclistes le long du canal
C.Martelet

Jour 1 : Avignon

1 nuit à Avignon

Votre première étape est uniquement citadine : visite d’Avignon ! Ancienne capitale de la Chrétienté, Avignon a gardé de son passé un patrimoine extraordinaire dont une grande partie est classée au Patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO. Vous découvrirez notamment son impressionnant Palais des Papes, son mythique pont, et l’été venu vous déambulerez dans la ville au rythme des spectacles de son festival réputé.

  • Distance: 4,4 km
  • Altitude : 23m / 49m
Cyclists along the Rhône in front of Arles

Day 2 : Avignon - Beaucaire

1 night in Beaucaire

It’s time to hit the road! After leaving the City of Popes, the ViaRhôna enters Gard. Be sure to take a short break in the lovely town of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon for a delightful stroll through the Italian gardens of Saint-André Abbey. The route then winds on through vineyards and orchards. Stop to explore the peaceful town of Aramon and its private mansions. Then it's a gentle ride to Beaucaire, a Town of Art and History, at the crossroads of Languedoc and Provence, where you will spend the night. 

  • Distance: 40 km
  • Elevation : 8m / 52m
Church of Saint-Gilles
C.Martelet

Day 3 : Beaucaire - Arles

1 night in  Arles

Today's itinerary links two cities brimming with history. Spend some time visiting Beaucaire and its lively river port in the heart of the town before setting off. You'll finish the day in Arles, a Roman town with extraordinary heritage. The route crosses a plain on small roads. Crop fields and orchards pass by in this landscape crisscrossed by irrigation canals and paths leading to the traditional farmhouses, called mas. Then, Arles finally appears. Explore all its treasures during your evening! 

  • Distance : 20 km
  • Elevation : 17m 
Cyclist on the ViaRhôna
C.Martelet

Day 4 : Arles - Saint Gilles

1 night in Saint Gilles

You'll leave Arles and head toward Saint-Gilles. The itinerary follows small roads on the edge of the Camargue plain through fields and irrigation canals. At the foot of the Costières hillsides, Saint-Gilles and its medieval town centre will immerse you in another era. Be sure to visit the 12th-century abbey church that lies on the Way of St James and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 
 

  • Distance : 22 km
  • Elevation : 18m
Constance Tower in Aigues-Mortes

Day 5 : Saint Gilles - Aigues-Mortes

The last day of your cycling journey! Between Saint-Gilles and Gallician, the itinerary enters Camargue Gardoise, recognised as a Grand Site de France. You'll pass by the Scamandre nature centre. In Gallician, you'll take the greenway across the Camargue Gardoise surrounded by exceptional fauna and flora. The itinerary then follows the old towpaths of the Rhone-Sète Canal, crossing through marshes before arriving in Aigues-Mortes, a fortified town surrounded by wetlands, vineyards, and salt flats. Be sure to catch the stunning view atop the Tour Carbonnière.

  • Distance: 33 km
  • Elevation: 13m

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Avignon / Beaucaire

Avignon / Beaucaire

36 km
2 h 31 min
I begin / Family
Take a last look back at the great papal city before ViaRhôna leads you across the Rhône into the county of the Gard. At the end of the Pont du Royaume, follow the purpose-built cycle path, which loops beneath the bridge before joining a quiet, tree-lined road overlooking the Rhône. Then the route zigzags between vineyards and orchards before joining the Pont du Gard Greenway, heading to the Rhône-side port of Beaucaire, designated a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire for its rich historical legacy, and set at a point where the regions of Languedoc and Provence meet.
Beaucaire / St-Gilles

Beaucaire / St-Gilles

29 km
2 h 08 min
I cycle often
Leaving Beaucaire, you'll cycle along a new greenway linking the marinas of Beaucaire and Saint-Gilles. The route follows the towpath of the Rhône–Sète Canal almost all the way, making for an easy, enjoyable ride where cyclists and passing boaters exchange friendly greetings. Bellegarde's marina is a welcome place to stop before continuing along the canal to Saint-Gilles, nestled at the foot of the Costières hills, with its medieval centre and abbey church.
Saint-Gilles / Aigues-Mortes

Saint-Gilles / Aigues-Mortes

32 km
2 h 07 min
I begin / Family
The ViaRhôna route has been set up between Gallician and Aigues-Mortes. On this stage along a greenway, you cross a portion of the Camargue Gardoise (the western, Languedoc side of the Camargue). The flora and fauna are exceptional. You cycle along the former towpaths beside the Canal du Rhône à Sète, crossing through typical marshland to reach the splendid walled port of Aigues-Mortes, set amidst marshes, vineyards and saltpans. Take in these extraordinary landscapes from the top of the Tour Carbonnière, an historic guards’ tower. Two further cycling circuits starting from Gallician enable you to discover more of the surrounding vines, marshes and reedbeds.